The Washington critic., 1887-05-28
THE ENGLISH REPORTER
In What Respect He Differs from His
American Cousin.
AN INDEPENDENT SET.
Newspaper Mon who stand Good
Deal on Their Dignity.

rial Macaulny Is recognized ns one oil the
principal factors in the success of Il news
paper but there is n very wide difference
between the functions and powers of the
news.gathercr in the two hcmlsphcres,
Across the Atlantic his primary and most
requisite qualification is to be an expert
shorthand writer. A friend of mine was
once asked by an amateur stcnographer.
slow many words minute do you
writeY
~ am not 'stcnographer,' am re-
porter" was the reply, "and write as many
as the occasion requires"
The spirit of this remark indicates that
an English reporter is not merely supposed
10 be capable OF writing l50 or 100 words a
minute OF Pitman's photography or any
other system, but Is expected TO take vcr.
batim any speaker, for the British papers
devote a large proportion of their space to
public addresses without much regard to
wit, wisdom or cloQuencc.
The main attribute of an American re-
porter, however, Is not q mere mechanical
Accomplishment, though TO write short
hand intelligently one requires to be more
than machine. What counts here Is the
Boswcllian instinct, the ability to catch
the spirit of witty remark or humorous
situation and present 1t TO the reader, with
uil It's COuColultuntrpnfhW COliuincu WIN
descriptive powers of high order. De.
scriptive writing In America occupies the
relative position Of intelligent transcription
OF shorthand notes In England. 1t does
not necessarily follow that an American Is
endowed with better descriptive faculty
than the Briton, for the latter Is called
upon to do great deal of that kind of
writing; but IT is held subservient to ability
as stenograpber. No matter what power
Of description man possessed, he could
not find employment in England unless he
should be
VERBATIM REPORTER,
though he might not fail of appreciation in
other departments of journalism. All
this Is easily accounted for. The mer-
curial American and the scturnine Briton
beth have their tastes particularly suited
in their newspapers.
II is the duty of tho American reporter
10 obtain any news of which he is sent in
search by hook or crook, and whatever the
daring or diplomacy required he is bound
to succeed. A rebuff an obstacle, m un-
kind word only sharpens him, especially II
II chugrin him, and make the victory more
sweet. He will do anything to obtain o
piece OF news which the parties interested
the whole public Is interested or only so.
cieiy event. But nm English reporter is
trained to q belief in "the dignity of the
press" His employers and all his superiors
believe in 1t, too, and he takes every op.
Ioriunity 10 let the public feel that It is q
tangible thing. lfhe Is rebuiied In any
way he will make no further effort, but
stand on his dignity and devote Q column
TO explaining the obstacles that were
thrown in his path. A word said to chagrin
him will draw ont denunciatlon of the
speaker, wtO will be completely Ignored In
The paper In future unless he happens to be
man Of national importance, but his
Indignation will make him abandon the
search for news. When he is insulted,
however, he rises far superior to his Ameri-
can cousin, supported not only by the
proprietor Of the paper he represents and
It's editors, but by the proprietors and
editors of all the papers in the locality, and
the insult shall be properly resented,
even though royalty itself should be con-
cerned. II would be very easy for me to
cite several instances, but will take one
which came under my own observation
just after had begun 10 inilict myself on
The transatlantic public.
AT PoRTRUsH.
Early In 1888 electricity was first used as
motor on surface railway between Port.
rush and the Giants Causeway in Ireland.
1t was notable event, in which the whole
scientific world was greatly interested. The
famous electrician, DR.. siemens, designed
The road and Its success would be the crown
ing glory of his illustrious life. The formal
opening ceremony was performed by Earl
Spencer, then for the second time Lord
Lieutenant of ireland, and representative
scientists were present from all parts OF
Europe and several from America. AS the
railway and the motor had been elaborately
described already, the magnificent banquet
xtti iah una n, nala IN thn nya mt ha
main feature Of importance to the news
papers, as such gathering would be any
where. Many of the morning papers were
prepared to devote whole page to the
speeches. All the London papers and the
principal continental dailies were repre-.
fented, making in all some thirty reporters
md correspondents, In addition to whom
several editors were present as guests. The
opening ceremonies occupied less than an
hour, and afforded material for bearly Q
column OF descriptive matter. The trla
trip was great success, as previous expert
encc had assured.
Then the newspaper men wended theli
way to the banqueting hall with the guests
Believing that seats had been reserved fol
notes while the other guests were being
seated. When the reporters camo to lool
for their places they found that none Eat
been reserved. Anthony Traill, we'll
known man, who had built the road, wa
master Of ceremonies, and he was huntet
6Oh," he said, when Informed of thu
trouble, "you fellows will be given som
lunch in an ante-room, and will try to al
range for one Of you to get seat when tn
speeches begin, and he can give the repor
to the rest Of you.n
"That will never do" was the reply
"We aro not hunting lunch' and can pa.
f,~< Atxna hpt lie tfnv all Ia fnr rf,n,
man TO represent us all, and 1t is absolutel.
necessary that we should all have seat
when. the speeches are being made"
"Then II the arrangement l propos
doesn't suit you, you can go to the devil,
returned Mr.. Traill, whose success nigh
have made him less irritable.
without moments hesitation each on
of the thirty reporters went to the CLOAK
room for his hat and coat and left th
place. II was still early and delightfl
day, SO after bath in the moderate sea O
Portrush; they paid visit to the Caus,
way, delighted TO be freed from the arduou
duties attendant on producing
FIVE OR SIX COLUMNS OF CORY.
Next day not newspaper In Grci
Britain or ireland or on the Continen
with one exception, even intimated tn
there had been grand banquet, or that Il
opening 80 tAmely described had passed c
with any particular eelat. The single q
oeptiun wa. Belfast paper, the editor
which WIS guest, who made O sort of repo
Of the banquet. Two weeks later mode
little note, bearing the vlce-regal sea
went around the newspapers. In 1t Ea
Spencer requested that as personal fay'
an enclosed half column abstract of
really interesting speech should be printe
As he had not offended in any way, al
there was no desire to punish him, the a
straet was printed.
need not ask whether American r
porters could have been so independent,
Ii they would have been SO well supporte
They would not have dared to boycott oi
In go exalted O siatiOn rs the VlcerOY.